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Ask Lewis: The Best Tips For Systems Thinking and Game Theory

Finding order in a random world

Photo of the author by Steve Weinberg

As a predictive futurist, I have a passion for systematic thinking. In this type of thinking we can make sense of the complexity of the world by looking at it in terms of relationships between people, places, and things and wholes rather than by splitting it down into its parts.

This type of thinking has been used as a way of exploring and developing effective action in complex contexts, enabling systems change, and defining patterns that might lead to future events. Systems thinking draws on and contributes to systems theory and the system sciences.

Let’s look at systems in a bit more depth. When you observe any system you will notice that the individual elements of the system will exhibit many possible behavior patterns that are specific and natural to that part of the system. For instance, the rear part of the system that we call a “dog” will wag while the front part of this same system may “bark.”

These patterns will reflect the unique history and qualities of each part of that system. In the same way for instance in the system that we call “The Family,” there may be a mother, father children, and grandparents — all behaving as a mother, father, child or grandparent might be expected to behave. In recent years the definition of the system we call “family” has evolved. We now have interfaith, interracial, international, and multicultural families as well as single parents and same-sex couples.

Many of these so common now were rare or even illegal just a few years ago.

Keep this in mind. All games are systems but not all systems are games.

Some experts spend their time exploring unique histories and unique qualities that lead to certain behaviors. This study of systems and behavior or “game” as I like to see it is called “Detail Complexity.” If this is exciting for you Google it. I did.

How are Games Created

Understanding how systems work and understanding that all games are types of systems should make everything we discuss from now on easier to understand.

To begin remember that all games have rules or there couldn’t and wouldn’t be a game. But how are the rules that define a specific game created? Usually, some authority (occasionally the players themselves) creates the rules of the game. If the required number of players is willing to play the game and by the rules then there is now “A Game”. Sometimes the game is named before rules are created and sometimes afterwards. Basketball, baseball, commodities trading, mortgage brokering, and democracy, are all games.

games — Photo by Folu Eludire on Unsplash

In virtually all games there will be players who violate the rule either intentionally or accidentally. Those who do so intentionally are known as “cheaters.” To prevent the rules from being broken and thus reducing the quality of the game experience and the benefits for the winner the creator of the games will create rules for enforcing the rule. The role of enforcer will often be played by the creator of the game but more often than not will be delegated to another such as a referee, the police, or in the case of democracy, the judicial system.

It can be generally stated that the more aware, flexible, and visionary the members of the group creating the game are the more enjoyable the game will be and the greater the benefits to all.

Creating a Great Game is not Always so Easy

To play effectively in a game the players need to have strategies and plans for action. Just as the rules need to have consistency, each player of the game is likely to adopt a strategy that he or she thinks is most effective and is unlikely to change. The ability of a player to create an effective consistent strategy will be defined, in part, by his or her understanding of the rules and the perceived strategies of the rival or opponent.

The most effective games have rules that exist for a reasonable period. In sports this would be the nine innings in baseball, the four quarters in football, the four years in American Presidential elections, etc. This is important because if the rules of a game are always changing then it becomes difficult for the players to develop effective strategies that will allow them to excel.

As you can see creating a game either for recreation or as a system for living can initially be difficult since the understanding of the rules within a group about a particular action may change organically and intuitively without any active discussion or agreement about a change taking place among the members of the group where the game is being played.

Let me simplify what I just said. Some people cheat during a game or change the rules and either honestly or conveniently forget to tell you that they changed the rules. Anyone who is married will understand this. Marriage partners will often forget things or act in ways that break the rules. This can be expressed in small ways, being a slob, forgetting to take out the garbage or saying “I have a headache” when there is no actual headache. Some people cheat so blatantly that they threaten the existence of the game itself. These individuals may be ejected from the game. In the game we call marriage this is called divorce.

The Takeaway

Remember, to play a game there must be players; a time frame for the length of the game; defined and enforced rules, accountability among the players for breaking the rules, and a general understanding among the players that consistently breaking the rule may lead to the weakening or destruction of the game.

©Lewis Harrison, all rights reserved.

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Before you go…

I am Lewis Harrison, an award-winning author of over twenty books on personal growth, predictions, and strategic thinking. For over a decade I was the producer and host of the show “What’s Up” on NPR-affiliated WIOX FM in New York.

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Predictions
Systems Thinking
Game Theory
Personal Growth
Futurism
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